Commentary

Economic migrants need economic development and political stability

07th-Jul-2014

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How many people are actually living outside their birthplace around the globe? According to the International Organization for Migration the number is over 232 million in 2013, it would constitute the fifth most populous country, and if this number continues to grow at the same pace as during the last 20 years, it could reach 405 million by 2050. Human migration means the movement by people from one place to another with the intention of settling in the new location. The movement is typically over long distances and from one country to another, but internal migration is also possible. Around 7.7 million Bangladeshi migrant workers are living across the globe for work or higher study; and ironically Bangladesh is host to more than 200,000 of Myanmar's Muslim Rohingyas.Why do people migrate to another country? Definitely it is not only for work , but also in pursuit of higher ambitions, or due to political persecution or simply to seek asylum. Additionally a large portion of migratory people are simply refugees due to their being persecuted in wars, internal conflicts, ethnic cleansing, or political persecution. Poverty, injustice and armed conflict displace millions of people across the globe every year. These include economic migrants who are compelled to move to provide for their families, refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing persecution, and victims of human trafficking and environment migration.According to IOM more than 7,000 migrants may have perished at sea or while crossing deserts trying to reach a safe haven in 2013, believed to be the deadliest year on record. In what it called the first global estimate based on data from border agencies and activist groups, the IOM said at least 2,360 migrants died in 2013 chasing the dream of a new life.In this context the question has risen in the world forum that is migration inevitable to run the wheels of the world's economy. Renowned political scientist Samuel P Huntington said if migration starts it creates the thrust for more migration in the world economy. Aging populations and low fertility rates in industrialized countries have resulted in substantial declines in replacement workers entering the workforce, while also creating greater demand for service-sector jobs and low-skill employment--- a situation which welcomes the ultimate emigrees.Like other developed nations, Australia in recent times made their emigration policy tougher as hundreds of thousands of people come via Indonesia and also from Indonesia every year in attempts to migrate through the seas by wood-boats without any security measures. According to a report carried in The Sydney Morning Herald about 17,000 people from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Burma and elsewhere arrived in Australia in 2012. Almost 1000 people are thought to have died due to the crossing in the past 10 years. We understand Australia is facing a crisis but still we believe it can be less cruel and more humanitarian and seek international cooperation.The international organizations including United Nations bodies on refugees must look at the problem by going beyond providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees who are economic refugees in search of jobs because of poverty and bad governance in their home countries. The governments of the home countries have to be held liable for the hardship of the migrants, and ways to be found so that these refugees are not forced to be drowned.

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